Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1887-10-02
TORPEDO FISH.
THE ELECTRICITY In THEM WILL KNOCK
ANAN DOWN.
How q Savannah Athlete Tried 10 Pick One
Up on q Bst-Tho Shock Investigated
BY Seiea6sis-GariOqs Results
Shown.
sapanaah La z in philadelphia Tine.

On the Deacn NJ lyDtt, TIC otncr uhy,
an old fisherman in oilskins was unloading
boat that had been full OF fish, when q
lusty young man, clad in white trousers
and white flannel shirt, met the old fel-
lows eye.
"You look like likely better" called
out the old fisherman, his hands and arms
meanwhile falling to the perpendicular and
a merry twinkle taking possession Of his
eyes.
"A likely WHAT" rather indignantly re-
Joined the youth.
"A likely hefter-a chap who can lift
heap" was the reply.
YES; I'm considered pretty strong in
the Savannah Athletic Club,' was the
answer.
. Did you ever lift much fish," asked
the old fellow, throwing huge netful Of
thinkers on the dock, and looking his COM
panion over with a critical eye.
II never saw the fish couldn't lift"
The fisherman thrust his hand into his
pocket, from which, after violent strug-
gle and much invective, he hauled out
very fiat, light leather pocketbook, that
was closed witha strap and piece of rope
yarn. He took from it clean ten.dollar
bill and said: "I'm going on 81 years old
next muster day, but III bet $40 even you
can't lift fish that | can"
where's your fish," asked the youth.
"Well, III tell you. Here's fish"
pointed to a large, solid and skate-like
fish in the bottom of the dory. Let's see;
it's about five foot up TO the dock. I'll
bet you the SO you can't toss the fish up
there"
81 don't want to take Your money" re-
piled the young man, magnanimously, ~
number OF spectators drew around.
But if you've got half dozen Of the fish,
string 'em all together and give me some
thing worth doing. I've lifted 500 pounds
before breakfast"
ooh, yes, I've heard tell of you" said
the old man, somewhat warmly. YOU'RE
the man that ate piece OF rubber hose for
breakfast, and didn't find out it wasn't
sausage till somebody told you. See that
thumb-nail?" he asked, holding up a curl
Gus looking stub with n horny growth
upon il. well, served prentice once to
a box. maker, and used to put in all the
screws with that nail, and pull em out
with my teeth when they broke of. You
know me, and I'll stick to it you can't
heave that fish up to the dock, and there's
the money"
The Savannah athlete, thus called upon.
deposited so with well-known gentle
man who had joined the party, and went
down the ladder into the boat while the
old fisherman climbed up on the dock TO
watch the feat.
STAND back there" shouted the boss
toSser, rolling up his sleeves. This fish
might hit you, old man, and knock some
OF the blow out of you"
'Heave away" responded the man in
oil skins, tipping wink at the crowd in
general.
The yoang man now stepped into the
dory and poked away the tinkers-small
mackerel-that were sliding about. Stand
ing on the edge Of the boat he stopped
down, grasped the skate-like fish and lifted,
raising il about foot. Then. uttering q
yell, he staggered moment and fell with
a resounding splash into the water, nearly
capsizing the boat in accomplishing the
feat, which was received with shouts Of
laughter from the dock, the old fisherman
fairly dancing hornpipe on the rail
What's the matter with your" he
shouted, as the unfortunate athlete scram-
bled into the dory again, swearing like u
pirate. Trying to upset the boat, arc
you?"
"WhO struck me? Somebody gave me
knock on the neck just az was lifting"
Nonsense" cried nearly every man in
the crowd. "You wasn't touched"
"I'll take my oath ! felt something hit
me. If this is skin game want TO know
it." Bracing himself firmly in the boat,
he again grasped the fish with both hands
and raised il three feet, and then fish, ath-
lete and all went back among the thinkers.
Man, fish, oars and balers were mixed mp
for a moment At last the Savannah
"hefter" made break for the dock and,
once upon it, sank down upon a pile Of
boards. He was as white a. O sheet and
was covered with scales from head 10 foot.
Send for doctorn" he gasped, as the
men crowded around.
"Why? What's the matter with you,
any way"
1--WE had a stroke" whispered the vic
tim. 1.-THE moment ] stopped 10 lift 1t,
felt it a runnin' all over me. It's in our
our family; but I've got it bad" and here
he rubbed his arms and legs. 1T knocked
me clean off my feet" he added, "and my
limbs felt like sticlSB Send" and here o
roar of laughter broke from the men, and
one of them, Selling him by the arms,
jerked him TO his feet.
You're all right, my lad; only the next
time don't 60 fooling around old Amos.
He's hard nut"
Here's yer money, sonny" said the old
man, holding out bill. You've earned
it."
what do you mean9" gasped the sth-
lete.
what do mean? Why, Jest this: Yer
haven't had shock of paralysis. Yer tried
TO heft one Of these burned toTpeders.
The'll knock mule down il yer gives EN-
the chance"
The athlete looked yacantly ahead, took
back his money and left amid the renewed
laughter Of the crowd.
He'll have yarn TO tell the Savannah
folks" said the perpetrator Of the joke,
"but / do hate TO hear man blow and
thought I'd take him down. IDjured' No,
stree. He'll feel stiff for an bour or 40, but
il won't hurt him. I've been struck by
them 100 times, and it's no fun. ] can
tell yer. It's Just like being struck by a
mild stroke OF lightning. don't general.
ly touch 'em, but q man gave me 81 10
fetch one in, 20 kept il IN the boat
They'll shock you right through the the
net When was hauling in the tinker
seine this morning knowed had shock
fish from the jerking Of my arms. The
shocks come night up the wet eording, 20
that sometimes you can't hang on anyhow.
I've seen a man who stuck one with an
iron harpoon, thinking il skate, knocked
down 30 quick he didn't know what hit
him.
HYou remember old Curt that naed 10